Method and apparatus for thermal dissipation in an information handling system

Abstract

A thermal dissipation apparatus includes a primary heat sink. The primary heat sink includes a first base member having a component coupling surface and a secondary heat sink coupling surface, and a plurality of fins extending from the first base member. A secondary heat sink may be provided such that the primary heat sink is operable to provide thermal dissipation in a low profile form factor chassis while the secondary heat sink may be coupled with the primary heat sink to provide more optimal thermal dissipation in a high profile form factor chassis.

1. A variable thermal dissipation method comprising:
 providing a first chassis and a second chassis, wherein the first chassis defines a first internal height and the second chassis defines a second internal height that is greater than the first internal height; 
 providing a plurality of first heat sinks, wherein each of the first heat sinks are sized to allow the first heat sink to be positioned within the first internal height defined by the first chassis and within the second internal height defined by the second chassis: 
 providing a second heat sink, wherein the second heat sink is sized to allow the combination of the second heat sink mounted to the first heat sink to be positioned within the second internal height defined by the second chassis but not positioned within the first internal height defined by the first chassis; 
 mounting at least one of the first heat sinks on each of a heat producing component that is located in the first chassis and a heat producing component that is located in the second chassis; 
 determining the need for added thermal dissipation for the heat producing component that is located in the second chassis; and 
 in response to the determining, mounting the second heat sink on the first heat sink that was mounted on the heat producing component that is located in the second chassis. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first heat sink includes fins all having an equal height. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first heat sink includes fins having variable heights. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 2  wherein the first heat sink includes a pair of base members and the fins extend between the base members. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 3  wherein the first heat sink includes a base member and the fins extend from the base member. 
   
   
     6. A variable thermal dissipation method comprising;
 providing a first chassis defining a first internal height; 
 providing an information handling system (IHS) in the first chassis, wherein the IHS includes a heat producing component; 
 mounting a first heat sink on the heat producing component, wherein the first heat sink is sized to allow the first heat sink to be positioned within the first internal height defined by the first chassis; 
 optionally, replacing the first chassis with a second chassis, wherein the second chassis defines a second internal height that is greater than the first internal height; and 
 whereby, due to the replacing, added space is provided for mounting a second heat sink on the first heat sink, wherein the second heat sink is sized to allow the combination of the second heat sink mounted to the first heat sink to be positioned within the second internal height defined by the second chassis but not positioned within the first internal height defined by the first chassis. 
 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 6  wherein the first heat sink includes fins each having an equal height. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 7  wherein the first heat sink includes a pair of base members and the fins extend between the base members. 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 6  wherein the first heat sink includes fins having variable heights. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 9  wherein the first heat sink includes a base member and the fins extend from the base member. 
   
   
     11. The method of  claim 10  wherein the fins extend toward the heat producing component.